The Worst Kind of Curse / Emily Davis Music

Emily Davis’ third full-length release “The Worst Kind of Curse” infuses folk and alternative rock - diverging itself sonically from her two previous albums by employing a heavier, more visceral vibe. Centered in the heart of the album is the theme of impermanence - how it shapes who we are, how it helps us cope with our own mortality, and how it impacts the way in which we view other people. Songs like “Folklore” and “Beautiful Tomb” emphasize the inherent beauty of impermanence, while “Scatter Me” and “The Knot” relay personal hardships and how the finality of death shaped their outcomes.

“The Worst Kind of Curse” was recorded in July 2015 in Hollywood, California under the direction of Rick Parker, who produced, mixed, and mastered the album. Mike Minjarez assisted in both the album’s production and vision, and ultimately, this project would’ve been impossible without his guidance and support every step of the way.

“The Worst Kind of Curse” was also made possible by the generosity and encouragement of the 169 individuals who contributed on IndieGoGo(Opens in new window) . Thank you for believing in me these last few years - I am eternally greatful to each one of you.

Emily Davis - vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
Rick Parker(Opens in new window) - mandolin on “Folklore”
Mike Minjarez - backing vocals on “Folklore”
Dan Allair - Drums
Luke Tierney - Bass

Visit the Worst Kind of Curse Bandcamp page(Opens in new window)

The Worst Kind of Curse track list

In My Bed Alone Toggle the in my bed alone song content

Just a little further in and I will see with my one eye
Such lovely caves with walls that breathe
I hope they will collapse on me

I cannot stay stationary inside these hallowed halls of you
There’s so much discovering to do
And so I make a move

And every nerve (Will they have the nerve)
to make their presence known (And every swerve)
I make just might (Break down my every bone)

Just a little faster now
Inside me lies a snow so white
I’ll paint your palace without color
You can come and become smothered

And suddenly the reverie inside my head is splashed with red
A gasping, gaping damsel clothed
In rouge and alabaster tones
Every nerve (Well they have the nerve)
To make their presence known (And every swerve)
I make just might (Break down my every bone)

Every nerve
Well they have the nerve to make their presence known
And every swerve I make just might
Break down my every bone
Every nerve and every ache
Every swerve and oh, but wait
I’m in my bed alone
I’m in my bed alone

Bed, Bottle, Goal Toggle the bed, bottle, goal song content

I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I’ve got a bed, I’ve got a bottle, got a 1-2-3-4

Bourbon, my sweet, put me to sleep
I need a pillow made of down and fresh, clean sheets
And tomorrow when I wake with a headache I know there’s gonna be
Some work to do
It’s the work after all, dear bourbon
That carries me coming back to you

I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
It’s just a matter of time until I’m tired and old
So bottle be my fire and bed be my coal

Tonic and gin is on the menu again
Along with all my worst jokes and a shit eating grin
And tomorrow’s coming quick like a lovesick little virgin
And there’s work to do
It’s the work after, all dear tonic
That I’m really looking forward to

I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
It’s just a matter of time until I’m tired and old
So bottle be my fire and bed be my coal

I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I need to reignite this slightly burnt out soul
So bottle be my fire and bed be my coal
Hey!

Bed, bottle, goal
Bed, bottle, goal
(ooooh)

Pen in my palm is keeping me calm
As I penetrate pages every and all day long
And the ink will keep me sane and help refrain for a bit longer
All the work that’s due
Oh, those goals after all, dear bottle
They keep me coming back to you

I have got a, I have got a
Bed, a bottle, and a goal
I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
It’s just a matter of time until I’m tired and old
So bottle be my fire and bed be my coal

I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I’ve got a bed, a bottle, and a goal
I need to reignite this slightly burnt out soul
So bottle be my fire and bed be my coal
And bed be my coal
And bed be my coal

Lovely Ugly Oddity Toggle the lovely ugly oddity song content

Dance for me, stranger, on the side of the street
Like you do each bitter morning not amended by caffeine
You’re a spectacle shunned in general
Or a backwards form of comfort
As they drive off towards another queue
Soothed in knowing they’re not you

So light, stay red, I need this
Light, stay red, I need this

Dance for me, you lunatic
You lovely, ugly oddity
Each evening while I’m wishing I
Would just shut down for good
They might shrug and mumble “drugs”
As they set out for their nightcaps
Yet I yearn to watch your movements
Wishing I were more like you

So light stay red (I theorize he knows it’s a ride)
I need this (Meaningless ‘til meaning is applied)
Light stay red (Or maybe he’s just mental but)
I need this (Still he’s much happier than I)

You’re a lovely ugly oddity
Lovely, ugly, just like me (x3)

Dance for me, stranger, as the sun is dipping down
Each stride is an invitation to increase in animation
We will never exchange stories
You’re a figure from afar
But at least I know who you are
But at least I know who you are
But at least I know who you are
who you are, who you are

The Knot Toggle the the knot song content

For some it’s proof for others, certain death
We’re not bereft, we are blessed (x4)

The knot was a noose
No wonder I wore blue
Underneath the other layers
Was the color of truth
I laugh when I’m asked when
I shall hang myself again
‘Cause the sores on my neck still feel new

The hands on each clock
Are ticking towards that knot
At least that’s what we’re taught
How to dig our own plots
See these ropes?
They are my own
And if they will be retied
They’re going to intertwine on my own time

Not everyone thinks it’s hallowed
So don’t push me back to the gallows
So don’t push me back to the gallows

The knot is a noose
When it’s forced and not embraced
I had myself a taste
And the bitterness remains
I laugh as I’m asked when
I shall drink that cup again
As if there is an absence of that pain
Well we solemnly swear
That our paths are ours to own
To have and to hold
To direct where they unfold
Our sentiment is rich
And no poorer all the same
We can commit without laying our claim

Believe that vow is far from shallow
So don’t shove us back to the gallows
Don’t shove us back to the gallows (x3)

Don’t shove us back to the gallows (For some it’s proof, for others certain death) (x4)

The knot was a noose
No wonder I wore blue
Underneath the other layers
Was the color of truth

Wonderful, Amazing Toggle the wonderful, amazing song content

She’s a shell
A vessel to dispose, an orifice with clothes
Use but never tell
She’s kept well
But she’s never worth keeping
A space ready for reaping
Not ready to be held
Shock and awe
And then withdraw
Put that spectacular vernacular to use
Then cut loose

Fill the gaps
Then flee with dignity
There’s no time for questioning
You’re far too young and apt
Sorry little sap
Let sore and unassuming
No mystery is brewing
She fell right for the trap

Shock and awe
And then withdraw
Put that spectacular vernacular to use
Then cut loose
And cut deep

Wonderful, amazing
Wonderful, amazing
But she’s the one that’s crazy
She’s the one that’s crazy
She’s wonderful, amazing
Wonderful, amazing
Yet she’s the one that’s crazy
She’s the one that’s crazy
Wonderful, amazing
Wonderful, amazing
Yet she’s the one that’s crazy
She’s the one that’s crazy
She’s wonderful, amazing
She’s wonderful, amazing

She’s a shell
A shell, a shell
She’s a vessel
She’s just an orifice with clothes
She’s so easy to dispose

Hoe

Beautiful Tomb Toggle the beautiful tomb song content

One day, one day I’ll be
One day, one day I’ll be
Scattered beneath a canopy of leaves
And that’s fine by me

Maybe, maybe I’ll be
Maybe I’ll become a tree
That lovers and children can sit underneath
A towering, silent company I’ll be
I’ll be, I’ll be
I’ll be, I’ll be, I’ll be

One day, one day I’ll be
One day, one day I’ll be
Strewn about some foreign sea
And I swear that’s fine by me

Maybe, maybe I’ll be
In each wave beckoning
Boats back home to family
A cresting, crashing company I’ll be
I’ll be, I’ll be
I’ll be, I’ll be, I’ll be

Well you can see me breath dissipate across the night
A stale cigarette throwing out its last light
You can see my breath, I love how it ends
‘Cause you know the worst kind of curse is permanence
So let the earth receive what was once wrought from its womb
My beautiful mother, my beautiful tomb
My beautiful mother, my beautiful tomb
One day, one day I’ll be

Wavering Stride Toggle the wavering stride song content

You have this vision of untouchable tradition
Where things are as they are through impeccable design
Where grand institutions are more than just illusions
You’ve idealized, believing that they reflect the divine

Oh
I’m gonna let you down again
I’m gonna lengthen this divide
I’m gonna let you down again
Not in malice, in my wavering stride
I can’t change your mind
And you will not change mine

You’ve built your life around this dream of new Eden
Your roots reside with the lamb and the lion
But my own roots were torn out
Now the black sheep wanders about
Farther from pasture, pained, yet still defiant

Oh
I’m gonna let you down again
I’m gonna lengthen this divide
I’m gonna let you down again
Not in malice, in my wavering stride
I can’t change your mind
And you will not change mine
And you will not change mine
And you will not change mine

I’m gonna let you down again
I’m gonna lengthen this divide
I’m gonna let you down again
Not in malice, in my wavering stride (x2)

I can’t change your mind
And you will not change mine

Scatter Me Toggle the scatter me song content

One day, I might drift off
I’ll float about for miles
Without a purpose, without a place to be
New city every day
Each night, a new escape
A melody, the only trace of this phantom runaway

Oooh (x2)

Once upon a time
Bittersweet South Caroline
Nearly stole my very soul from me
A trembling, hungry breath
Then the semi and I met
I should’ve become breathless debris

Now the idea terrifies
Of endless, all night drives
But that’s where I thrive and
That’s where I need to be

So if I die out on the highway
I’ll lose my life where I loved it the most
If I die out on the highway
I’ll lose my life where I loved it the most

Oooh (x4)

Scatter me across the country
A little bit in every county
Scatter me until I’ve covered it all
Scatter me until I’ve covered it all

And if I die out on the highway
I’ll lose my life where I loved it the most
If I die out on the highway
I’ll lose my life where I loved it the most

I'll Never Sleep Again Toggle the i'll never sleep again song content

Come back to me, my lovely
I didn’t know what I was doing
When I closed my eyes you were as cold as ice
You were blue and you weren’t moving
My pillow is a demon and these sheets smell like decay

Come back to, my lovely
And I’ll always stay awake
Come back to me, my lovely
And let’s get your heart beating
It’s frozen still I’m afraid it will stay that way
As life is fleeting
Who can love a carcass
Yet they’re hardly worth the hate
Come back to me, my lovely
And I’ll always stay awake

It was another night of dreams so lucid
And you weren’t alive, you were downright putrid
It was another morning and without warning
My dreams were right, my dreams were right

Come back to me, my lovely
And undo what my mind’s done
Reanimate, escape your fate
With the rising of the sun
One moment you were laughing
Then the next, your lips were sewn
Come back to me, my lovely
And my eyes I’ll never close

It was another night of dreams so vivid
And you weren’t alive, hell I practically lived it
It was another sunrise and to my surprise
My dreams were right, my dreams were right

Come back to me my lovely and say this ain’t the end
Come back to me my lovely, we still can make amends
Come back to me my lovely as if you played pretend
Come back to me my lovely
I’ll never sleep, I’ll never sleep again
I’ll never sleep again
I’ll never sleep again
I’ll never sleep again
I’ll never sleep again